Akinesia is difficulty beginning or maintaining a body motion.

• Slowed voluntary movements.
• Difficulty in reaching for objects.
• Inability to perform repetitive, simultaneous, or sequential body movements.
• Immobile, expressionless, or masked face.
• Loss of normal "restless" body movements while sitting.
• Loss of arm swinging while walking.
• Shuffling gait; andh. diminished finger dexterity.

Usage: Akinesia points to a variety of neurological problems ( including, e.g., Parkinson's disease and brain damage associated with strokes ). Akinesic behaviors affect an individual's normal nonverbal response, and may be ( especially in older people ) misconstrued as mood signs expressing emotions and feelings.